Overview
Title
To amend title 44, United States Code, to modernize data practices to improve government, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to help the government use data in smarter and better ways by updating how they handle things like computers and information, but it won't spend extra money to do it. It also sets up new rules for people in charge of data, but not everyone might agree on how to follow them exactly.
Summary AI
The bill, H. R. 10151, aims to update the data practices of the United States government to make them more modern and efficient. It introduces changes to the definitions for terms like 'artificial intelligence' and 'data governance' and modifies the roles and qualifications of Chief Data Officers to improve data management across agencies. The bill also requires regular reports from a Chief Data Officer Council to enhance data usage and governance, and ensures that agency resources are identified for adopting artificial intelligence. Importantly, no additional funds are allocated to implement the activities under this Act.
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Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
The bill under consideration proposes amendments to Title 44 of the United States Code, aimed at modernizing data practices within federal government agencies. Entitled the "Modernizing Data Practices to Improve Government Act," the legislation seeks to improve the way government handles data, including defining key terms related to data management and artificial intelligence (AI), setting qualifications for Chief Data Officers (CDOs), and enhancing the role of the CDO Council to foster technological advancement across federal agencies.
General Summary of the Bill
At its core, the bill aims to update existing legal frameworks to better incorporate modern data management techniques and emerging technologies within federal agencies. It introduces specific definitions for terms like "artificial intelligence" and "data governance," leveraging existing legislative definitions. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of Chief Data Officers and the CDO Council, emphasizing the need for improved data governance and technological innovation. Importantly, no new funding is allocated for these initiatives, indicating reliance on existing resources.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill raises several significant issues:
Definition Clarity: The term "artificial intelligence" is defined by reference to other legislative acts, which may not be readily accessible to everyone, potentially causing confusion about its intended scope and application.
Financial Concerns: The bill lacks a detailed financial assessment for implementing the proposed data governance policies, which could result in budgetary oversights.
Sunset Provision: The law is set to expire in 2031, which could impact the ability of agencies to plan for long-term projects that depend on these regulations.
Role of Chief Data Officers: While CDOs have designated roles, the lack of specific performance criteria could impact accountability and effectiveness.
Ambiguity in Procedures: Vague language regarding the evaluation of technology and ensuring public data transparency could lead to disparate implementations across agencies.
Optional Recommendations: The rule of construction implies that recommendations are voluntary, which might weaken the bill’s impact.
Undefined Terms: The inclusion of "synthetic data" without a definition leaves room for inconsistent interpretation and application.
Funding Limitations: The act specifies that no new funding will be allocated, potentially limiting its successful implementation if current resources are insufficient.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Public Impact: For the general public, the bill has the potential to increase governmental transparency and efficiency by leveraging new technology, which could lead to more effective public services. However, the lack of clarity and funding may hinder these benefits if implementation falls short.
Stakeholders Impact:
Federal Agencies: Agencies are likely to face challenges in implementing the bill without additional funds, especially if existing budgets are already stretched thin. Positive impacts include improved data integration and technological adoption, which could enhance operational efficiency.
Chief Data Officers and IT Personnel: These stakeholders play a crucial role in the bill's execution. While the bill offers opportunities to enhance their operational frameworks, the lack of defined performance metrics and potential funding constraints could complicate their efforts.
Government Contractors and Tech Firms: Firms specializing in data management and AI systems may find opportunities to provide services. However, the absence of new funding could limit the scope of contracts and partnerships.
In conclusion, the bill endeavors to bring federal data practices into the modern age, promoting the use of AI and robust data governance. While it holds promise for enhanced governmental operations and services, the lack of specificity in definitions, funding, and implementation strategies could pose challenges. Stakeholders will need to navigate these issues carefully to realize the intended benefits.
Issues
The term 'artificial intelligence' is defined by reference to specific legislative acts, which may not be clear or accessible to readers unfamiliar with those acts, potentially leading to confusion about its scope and application (Section 2, subsec. (a)).
There is no detailed financial evaluation of the costs associated with implementing the data governance policies, which could lead to potential wasteful spending if not properly budgeted (Section 2).
The clause regarding the sunset provision may cause uncertainty in long-term planning for agencies that rely on the regulations this bill enacts since the provisions will no longer be effective after December 14, 2031 (Section 2, subsec. (h)).
The defined role and responsibilities of Chief Data Officers are broadly outlined but lack specific actionable items or criteria to measure their performance and effectiveness, potentially impacting accountability (Section 2, subsec. (d) & (e)).
The process for evaluating new technology solutions and ensuring transparency of public data assets is vaguely defined, which could lead to inconsistent implementation across agencies and potentially affect the quality and reliability of data (Section 2, subsec. (d)(1)(5)).
The rule of construction clause could lead to agencies not implementing important recommendations if they are not deemed mandatory, affecting the bill's potential impact (Section 2, subsec. (g)).
The term 'synthetic data' is introduced but not explicitly defined, which leaves its scope and application ambiguous and may lead to inconsistent practices across agencies (Section 2, subsec. (d)(2)(A)(iv)).
The statement that no additional funds are authorized for implementing the Act could limit its effective execution if existing resources are inadequate, potentially undermining the bill's objectives (Section 3).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section provides the short title of the Act, which is called the "Modernizing Data Practices to Improve Government Act."
2. Modernizing data practices to improve government Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill section focuses on updating U.S. laws related to government data practices, defining terms like "artificial intelligence" and "data governance," setting qualifications for Chief Data Officers, and establishing responsibilities for the Chief Data Officer Council and the Director to enhance data management and technology use in federal agencies. It also outlines the creation of reports on data governance progress and recommendations, with a sunset clause ending the section's effect after December 14, 2031.
3. No additional funds Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section specifies that no extra money is approved for use in implementing this Act.